Following a day off training on Monday, normal service was resumed at the Weser-Stadion on Tuesday. Head coach Viktor Skripnik had scheduled two training sessions to begin preparing for the important home game against promoted side Darmstadt.
Following a day off training on Monday, normal service was resumed at the Weser-Stadion on Tuesday. Head coach Viktor Skripnik had scheduled two training sessions to begin preparing for the important home game against promoted side Darmstadt.
Despite a day off work to begin the week, midfield maestro Zlatko Junuzovic decided to have an extra session on Monday, all by himself - not a teammate in sight. Armed with countless balls, the 28-year-old fired off shot after shot. "You shouldn't get too excited about this," explained the Austrian. "Some of the guys go running on their free days, I just prefer doing something with the ball. I'd like to go into the next game well prepared," said Junuzovic about his special programme.
Sambou Yatabaré was the protagonist of a real heart-stopping moment on Tuesday morning. The Malian went down shortly before the end of training and left the pitch early. Head coach Viktor Skripnik, however, soon gave the all-clear. "I spoke with him straight after training. He assured me that he will be with us again in the afternoon," said the Ukrainian. And Yatabaré was true to his word as he joined his teammates out on the pitch for the second training session of the day.
An unexpected absence was captain Clemens Fritz. The 35-year-old is suffering from ankle issues and so took part in his own individual session inside the Weser-Stadion. "As it stands, he will not be available to face Darmstadt," explained Skripnik.
Also in individual training, but still out on the pitch, was the trio of Aron Jóhannsson, Özkan Yildrim and Janek Sternberg. Whilst Jóhannsson and Yildrim have already trained at the side of the pitch in previous days, Tuesday morning was the first time left back Sternberg had returned to training near his teammates since he tore a ligament in his ankle.
